Carla Beauvais: Empowering Black Canadian Entrepreneurship Through Culture and Communication
Carla Beauvais, Executive Director and co-founder of Fondation Dynastie
Carla Beauvais, Executive Director and co-founder of Fondation Dynastie, promotes diversity and inclusion in the sector of arts, culture, and media. She also co-founded Orijin Village, providing businesses in Black communities with technological solutions that allow them to reach new market sectors and bridge the digital divide.
Fondation Dynastie’s mission is to recognize and support talent in the arts, culture, and media fields in Quebec to get recognition and economic opportunities. This is a challenging space for Black entrepreneurs and professionals in gaining recognition and opportunities in these industries. As a former entrepreneur, her background in the media and cultural space made her acutely aware of the challenges and led her to focus on supporting Black entrepreneurs in the arts and media. She does this by leveraging her relationships and partnerships to provide opportunities for them in these sectors. Her partnerships are with well known organizations such as with institution like VFX Studios, UBISOFT Montreal, NFB, Natyf TV, Canada Media Fund, among others.
Under her leadership, Fondation Dynastie has come a long way, from a team of two volunteers with a budget of $46,000 in 2016 to 7 full-time employees with a budget of over $1 million dollars and co-ownership of a building today. Her annual gala is usually sold out with over 1400 people attending, and is broadcasted by Bell. Her impact looms large in Black Communities in Montreal as the majority of her spending is with Black Entrepreneurs and communities.
Fondation Dynastie provides training workshops, mentorships, bursaries, and networking and business opportunities to help people in our communities. She said most employers provide training opportunities, especially as they face employee shortages. “Fondation Dynastie shares and provides opportunities, not just as singers and actors but other opportunites for entrepreneurs who are makeup artists, directors, animators, accountants, legal advisors, all of those are examples of jobs that you can have in the arts and culture sector, but people only think I need to be an actor, I need to be a singer or stuff like that. Not a lot of us can make it and become like Beyoncé in our lifetime. So, we are really trying to push the agenda to show that there are other opportunities and partnerships. We realize that there's a lot of Black people working in the VFX Studios in Montreal. They work with Marvel and Disney, we just did an event with them.”
Pioneering Influence in Communication and Media
Beauvais embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2005 by launching her communications agency, Groupe Style Communications. An innovator in press relations for the urban environment, she orchestrated numerous campaigns for renowned artists and various organizations.
Her work uplifted the artists she represented and played a pivotal role in advocating for the recognition of diverse talent in the cultural and media sectors. Beauvais's vision extended beyond traditional press relations. Understanding the transformative potential of the digital age, she quickly embraced new tools and platforms, to amplify and broaden her clients' reach.
She was among the first in Montreal to integrate digital tools and social media platforms effectively into her strategies, setting a new standard for communication agencies in the industry. Beauvais' understanding of these emerging technologies was instrumental in driving her clients' growth and in solidifying her agency's reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the field.
Creating Impact Beyond Borders
Beauvais’ influence is not confined to Montreal; her vision extends internationally, ensuring her clients receive exposure on a global scale. She built strong partnerships across borders, allowing her clients' work to be recognized in the United States, Europe, and beyond.
One of Beauvais’ notable contributions is her involvement with Black History Month, an event she has orchestrated since 2009. Under her leadership this event has grown exponentially, earning support from major partners and establishing its importance in Montreal's socio-cultural landscape. Beauvais' commitment to inclusivity and representation further materialized when she was named among the 100 personalities of the year by The Montreal Gazette in 2015. This acknowledgement was a testament to her tireless efforts to promote Black history and culture, highlighting the invaluable role she plays in promoting diversity. She was also the YWMCA winner of the Woman of Distinction 2022 award.
Beauvais has made it her mission to challenge societal perceptions of Black history and culture. Through the careful curation of events during Black History Month, she has used the platform to shine a light on the richness of Black history, its people and their contributions.
Beauvais’s role in transforming Black History Month from a local commemoration into a large-scale cultural celebration has played an essential role in raising awareness and breaking down cultural barriers.
In 2016, she co-founded the Fondation Dynastie, followed by the 0rijin Village in 2019. These organizations celebrate Black excellence, promote the “Buy Black” movement, and aid the digital transformation of Black entrepreneurs.
The Dynasty Gala, an annual event organized by the Fondation Dynastie, honors the achievements of cultural and media artisans. These initiatives further highlight her commitment to empowering the Black community.
Building Foundations of Success
Fondation Dynastie is a platform that fosters success. With Beauvais at the helm, they provide resources, mentoring, and funding to black entrepreneurs, allowing them to transform their visions into viable businesses. They also encourage collaboration within the Black community, forming a network of support and solidarity that's instrumental in overcoming barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs. Carla walks her talk in building partnerships and collaborations. She has partnered with the founders of Groupe NDM, 0rijin Village and Les Immeubles Venso to personally invest in buying the building their organizations all occupy.
Beauvais understands the critical importance of nurturing young talent. Through Fondation Dynastie, she has implemented various programs, including mentorship programs, training workshops, bursary programs, and networking events. This focus on youth is central to her vision of building a sustainable legacy and creating a thriving industry that supports the Black community.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite her achievements, Beauvais acknowledges the significant challenges faced by her organization and the Black community at large. The complexity of grant applications, limited access to funding, and systemic issues of racism are among the persistent obstacles.
Yet, Beauvais remains resilient, channeling her entrepreneurial spirit to tackle these challenges head-on. She is candid about these difficulties, using them as teachable moments for young entrepreneurs navigating the same hurdles.
Strengthening the Foundation
As Beauvais looks to the future, she aims to further strengthen her organization's impact through data collection and research. She is a firm believer in the power of data and is currently working on initiatives that will allow her organizations to quantify their impact better. By understanding the outcomes of their work, Beauvais hopes to strategically optimize their efforts and maximize their effectiveness.
Conclusion
Carla Beauvais’s story serves as an inspiration to others trying to navigate and find opportunities in the world of arts, culture and media. Her unwavering belief in diversity and inclusivity has not only helped her overcome challenges, but has also led to a meaningful socio-economic impact in the communities she serves.
Beauvais’ dedication to her cause continues to pave the way for the empowerment and recognition of Black entrepreneurship, echoing her belief that entrepreneurship is not just about economic growth, but also about community development and social change.